ftaylor

6. Pablo Hernandez

8. Moussa Dembelle

Lived in Laos for a bit. If your in Vientiane there is an English pub called the Fox and Hound even though the owner is a Spurs fan they show games there. Also Sam Lo Pub (sp?) shows games but its a bit notorious as a spot where lao women prowl for foreigners (although who knows, that might be your kind of thing!)

 

Surprisingly excellent EPL coverage in Laos and Thailand. Im pretty sure all 380 games are broadcast live.

Curious to know how many Americans you do think have guns (per household and as a percentage of the population). Most stats I've seen are pretty high.

Also, are you saying it's the UK alone that has this preconception about the US - or does it extend to other countries? What is America's view of itself? Really interested to know.

Really depends on the state. Can't ever recall seeing a hand gun on anyone other than on a police officer. But my state has a homicide rate barely above that of the UK. If I spent more time outside the north east I am sure this wouldn't be the case. I am always mildly bothered by people asking if we all think we are cowboys and all have guns in our closets etc. But we haven't exactly done ourselves favors to change the perception anyway.

 

Funny though, before I even opened this thread I knew someone was going to say the "not surprised this happened in America" but I guess given MikeO's stats it may be "out of order" but not inaccurate.

 

Ironically one of the main reasons why the gun debate is so heated in this country is that the right to bare arms is in our constitution. Which goes back to the days of winning our independence, and was supposed to be a safeguard against tyrannical government. I would say in the modern world an armed populace doesn't do anyone much good but in certain parts of our country that is seen as unpatriotic.

They have a good base, but need an attacking midfielder, they have spent £25+ mil on Fuller, Jerome, Crouch, and Jones who are all similar players. They brought in Tuncay, which could have helped them in transition to another style but they never adapted so he flopped.

Begovic

Shotton Woodgate Huth Upson

Palacious

Soares ??? Walters Etherington

Fuller/Crouch

 

They have a good base and could easily adapt to a better style. Similar to what Moyes had his first couple of seasons(if not better). What they do atm is a disgrace. They have had money, they have no excuse to be playing like this anymore.

The team I've done above, if you added a player of Osman to Dempseys quality and it would be able to play at least a premiership standard. Then progress by bringing in a a winger, then a left back, someone for Walters, then finally another striker to freshen things up, and they'd be a top 10 team playing good football rather than an un-relegatable poster boy of anti-football.

 

 

http://oatcakefanzin...y&thread=191

For me that is a relegated team, with Osman or Dempsey, if they tried to play attractive football. Though I think you make a fair point on the money they have spent on the strikers. They haven't even tried to adapt. I just think its difficult to bring in the players they need to adapt in a transition that doesn't run the risk of getting them relegated. Looks like the Stoke fans are fine running that risk given that link though

Didn't see the game tonight, but must agree on Stoke. Their 'football' is terrible. After three years in the league, you would think they would feel comfortable enough to try a more evolved style. Apparently not.

 

How many players would they have to buy to "evolve" as you say? It would be a costly evolution that would certainly drag them close to the relegation zone. I'm surprised that Stoke fans have complained about Pulis given that hes given them 3 comfortable midtable finishes and a taste of Europe but then again I haven't had to watch Stoke on a weekly basis. Maybe it gets old even if it keeps you in the Prem.

I thought you only qualified as runners up if the winners earned a champs league birth otherwise it reverts to the league. Seem to remember something with Stoke needing City to qualify for Champions League last year before they secured their place in Europe

Is it still his hammy thats causing him issues? Im not a physio but I would expect that to be a 100% preventable injury. If so someone should be making sure he gets treatment every day for that thing even when he isn't carrying a knock, otherwise he won't progress (and he hasn't). I remember a while ago he had a bit of a moan that Moyes wasn't giving him enough minutes and that as a developing player he needed time on the pitch. Bit ironic that he says that and doesn't keep himself healthy

Wenger has got so much more faith that he has started the lad in a massive one Premiership game this season, but to be fair he has doubled that in substitute appearances

Cup Games and CL games as well. Gervinho and Walcott have been for the most part healthy all season. Can't say the same for our midfield

Patriot Quarterback Tob Brady's wife (Victoria's Secret Model Gisele Bundchen) is now blaming the defeat on the Patriots receivers for dropping too man passes

Not good enough- was better than Altidore for a while before he wrecked his career in a car crash- wouldn't want Altidore either

If we bring in retrospective punishment for people who dive and try and influence referees decisions then it will soon stop. Start docking teams points for constant cheating and we will see an end to it.

 

The case for video evidence is getting stronger all the time. Each team gets 3 shouts to challenge the following: ball over the line, penalty shouts, and cards. If the challenge is correct then they keep the challenge. If a player has taken a dive then they get carded. It will stop the pathetic crowding round and influencing the refs decision.

It doesn't need to be exactly like American Football- but I agree completely. The fourth official does absolutely nothing all game other than listening to the manager's whinging. Give him a tv like the rest of us have- if he sees a dive or a red card that wasn't, have him use his handy dandy microphone too inform the referee he got it wrong. Simple... it might be a little awkward at times imagine Rodwell coming back out of the tunnel and Everton back to 11 men after 5 minutes. But wouldn't that be better/fairer than losing him for the entire game? What is the ref trying to pretend that he didn't make a bad call? Im sure he knew at half time he got it wrong- there is no reason that he shouldn't be able to rescind a card after he has given it or give a card if he has missed the foul after the fact.

1. Its annoying to see team's buying success especially when they are shooting past you in the table. Would I have Everton "sell their soul" to an Arab Sheik for a league title? No. Would I have them "sell their soul" so I could watch exceptional football every week (like you lot have been playing) ? Absolutely

2. I have seen the plans and they look magnificent. Looks like you guys are building an empire which is a lot more intriguing than just buying players like Chelsea.

3. Its fun to watch

4. Dunno

5. Aguero, Silva,- dropped Dzeko only because his fantasy value is going down.

6. Silva

7. I think the only positions we are stronger at are left back (baines) and holding mid (fellaini- on his day, not on current form. I do think De Jong is an excellent player)

8. Don't think we like each other much in general- seems silly really but thats the general mood I have seen on BM and TT

9. Not a whole lot IMO

10 Like to see you guys pay your dues a little more but it seems inevitable in the next couple years

11. I can't see anything other than a pasting for us. But then again I thought we would lose the last 4 fixtures against City too.

I don't think the Carling Cup is financially rewarding- I think I saw somewhere that the prize money for the final was 150k which means all money needs to be derived from TV (can't be much) or at the match. Still would take the trophy and mid table over 5th-6th though

 

Errrrrrrrmmmmmmm.........................................Nope

Clearly you haven't been around here that long.

 

When Dave speaks we listen

I thought it was disgusting.

I suggest you stay away from the joke section from here on out- you wont like it... this is pretty much par for the course

We don't need a replacement for Jags if he goes, arggggghhhh! It makes literally zero sense to sell Jags and bring another fucking defender in.

 

If we sell him and bring another CB in I will blow my top.

I am assuming this is because you feel we have enough cover? I'd agree but I think yobo is too expensive to be a backup and while it may be difficult to sell him, based on his lack of appearances in friendlies so far I get the sense moyes and co think they can get rid of him yet.

He was in sparkling form before Spurs bought him right? Hes only 24/25 so in my mind a good replacement if jags goes.

Isnt Maggie a left sided winger with pace? And another thing nobody has taken into account will Jags want to uproot and move to London? Hes settled up here and comes from the area and Arsenal are losing players left right and centre!

How did I forget Maggie!?

I don't understand why people feel £18m is a bad deal.

 

Me neither, Nobody else has come knocking for Jags. He turns 29 2 games into the season- hes not blessed with greater physical attributes (like dustbin) so I cant see him being at the top of his game past 32 so thats 4 years of his prime and his value is pretty much gone after that. We have yet to see the pre injury jags return to form- that player at age 27 was worth 25m+ but he is 2 years older with a serious injury on the odometer and has yet to return to form. Isn't it a TT consensus that Distin was the better CB for us last year, for a team that allowed a fair number of goals? At 18m Wenger will turn to other options. Wenger offered 10 we countered with 20- I think the most we can and ever will get is 15 with a lower fee probably being more realistic if a deal is to be made. You take that and by the younger N'Zogbia who fits exactly what we need- creativity, width, and pace and possible sell on value and still have some change in hand. We have nobody coming through the ranks as a winger other than Seamus and he isnt even a natural winger while we have duffy and possibly mustafi at CB in the future with Yobo returning on loan for the short term as cover for Johnny.

Panama beaten 1-0. USA now in the final for the third consecutive (back to back Mike ) time.

 

Four clean sheets out of five games.

 

I believe you mean back to back to back

He's been trying to force his way into the national team's first XI though the US is pretty weak at CB. His distribution is supposed to be pretty good but I havent seen enough of him to comment further. It would be a serious step up for him but he is only 23.

You think that's gonna last forever? This is like the fourth transfer window in a row where we probably won't add anything significant to an already aging squad. Other teams, like Newcastle, are creeping closer and closer and they'll eventually overtake us unless we spend money on quality players too. I think you must see the logic to that?

 

I believe we spend more on wages than Newcastle does and its not as if they are "creeping" up on us since they just got back up but I share your concern about the squad that is both aging and stagnant. We've basically maxed out our wage bill so we have no money to bring in young promising players (like cabaye) and instead have to bring in really young and unproven players. Im probably going to get ripped for this but I think this club needs to sell their players in their prime. We could have cashed in Arteta for 12-14 (would defour have cost us much more?) and that boat's sailed, we could have cashed in on jags for 8-10 and it looks like that may not happen now either. What happens in three years when Arteta is well and truly past it Jags is 32 and declining, Cahill goes back to Aussieland, Baines is nearing the end of his 5 year contract he signed last year and even Ossie is gone?. Honestly if no bid comes in for Fellaini, we cant resign him, and he walks for free, we could be in the shit.

 

I know there is this stigma with being a "selling club" and having a "lack of ambition" but how are we to compete with wealthier teams if not wheeling a dealing and trawling for bargains.

How can it legal to do so? I dont get it, the clauses are there to protect us right?

I believe they have the right to buy him a 6m at any time during the loan. So for example if Everton had a change of heart and valued Yobo at 8 the turks could still get him at 6. But having a clause to buy him at 6 doesnt mean they cant decide that 6m is too expensive and try to negotiate less.

 

If Yobo played at another club would you buy him for 6m and put him on 45kpw wages? I think its clear to everyone yobo doesnt want to come back, Everton doesnt want him back (nor his wages) and Everton would grudgingly accept less than 6m rather than take him back.

Why? Weve done it before and come close once or twice since. Money doesnt always guarentee success - look at Liverpool. 55m spent in Jan, we spent 900k - how far above us are they. Before people start saying "but watch them next season, with Sunderland, Villa, etc splashing the cash, we will get left behind", fact is we havent this season for or in previous seasons. We have the quality on the pitch to compete with the best and richest, Its taken City 400m over 3 seasons to manage a CL place and some silverware but they still cant beat us.

 

What we need is a way of getting the players to play against the mid-lower table teams and get results. Money isnt going to buy that....

 

Maybe I am off the mark here but I thought the biggest cause of dissatisfaction was the lack of spending. Spending doesnt always guarantee success but it does guarantee moving deeper into debt. Being dissatisfied with Moyes tactics? Fine- Think the club screwed up its stadium plans and Bill is to blame? No problem. But Conn is looking at Everton with less debt, debt increasing at a lower rate, better on field performance than any team with comparable financial means- he thinks thats enviable- I doesnt seem to me that he is telling Evertonians to be good little fan's, compete for Europa, and let the big boys compete for honors but I think many here feel that way.

How dare we want success eh, David Conn? Shame on us!

Think what he is getting at is that we outperform everyone with a similar wage bill or turnover and he feels additional "success" is unattainable without significant increased outlay which potentially could cripple the club(Villa's situation being comparable). Its ok to want a top four finish or some silverware, but we should appreciate finishing top 7 in the league- because the top 4 is unrealistic from a purely financial standpoint.